Debate Heats Up In Final Round

Free Exchange Turns To Free-for-all In Congressional Forum

October 22, 1992|By LAWRENCE STRAUSS; Courant Staff Writer

WATERBURY — For most of the 5th Congressional District debate Wednesday, the proceedings resembled the "MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour." It was a relatively civil exchange of views among the three major candidates.

But as the debate wound down, it could have passed for a spicy episode of "Geraldo," a bruising political free-for-all punctuated by applause and catcalls.

The fireworks began during the last segment of the hourlong debate when Lynn H. Taborsak, the A Connecticut Party candidate, asked how much her Democratic opponent, James J. Lawlor, has collected in legal fees from the Naugatuck Valley Development Corp.

Lawlor has referred to his work for that quasi-public agency as an example of his community service in Waterbury, where he has been a probate judge since 1978.

Taborsak mentioned the figure of $162,000 -- an amount she later said the agency paid in legal fees in connection with developing an industrial park in Waterbury. She asked how much of that went to Lawlor. Lawlor later disputed the figure, saying it was misleading and that the legal fees he collected were much less than that. He was not able to provide a specific figure, however.

But Taborsak, a four-term state representative and plumber from Danbury, called the arrangement "wheeling and dealing." She narrowly lost a Democratic primary last month to Lawlor. Taborsak won 18 of the 27 cities and towns in the district, but Lawlor took Waterbury by about 4,200 votes, overcoming Taborsak's lead elsewhere.

Her attack triggered catcalls from the audience. The second debate of the campaign was in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn in Waterbury, the hometown of Lawlor and incumbent Republican Gary A. Franks. It was sponsored by the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce.

Taborsak also criticized Franks, calling him "pro-insurance" and suggesting that he has failed to deliver on key business issues -- an accusation Franks has denied.

Although Franks refused to respond directly to Taborsak's comments, he did not stay out of the fray. First, he allowed Lawlor, whose speaking time had elapsed before Taborsak's remarks, an extra minute to respond. That elicited applause from the audience of several hundred people.

Taking the extra minute without hesitation, Lawlor called Taborsak's attack inaccurate and her comments "a shrill attempt of someone down in the polls using any technique to win the election." He defended his work in the community.

Then it was Franks' turn to issue his closing remarks, and he went on the attack.

"I think their primary was disgusting, and I thought the remarks made today by Ms. Taborsak were disgusting."

The Taborsak campaign later dismissed the congressman's remarks.

"Gary Franks is just playing politics," said Alex Schwartz, Taborsak's press secretary.

The campaign leading to the Sept. 15 primary between Lawlor and Taborsak resulted in each side's attacking the other.

Before the debate erupted in its closing stages, the candidates answered questions and outlined their positions on issues ranging from the economy to health-care reform. They also made a pitch for votes.